Sudan FM denies alleged statement over Rebecca visit to USA

Feb 16, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied press statement attributed to its minister Lam Akol on the accountability of Mrs Rebecca de Mabior over statements she made in Washington.

Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, Minister of Transport and Roads in the Government of Southern Sudan was invited by the US Administration to attend the State of the Union Address. During her visit she voiced her concern over “some critical delays in the implementation process”.

“I would like to state that the reported version is not accurate”, Said the statement. “The truth is that, in the press conference, the Minster held in Doha on 13 February 2006, he was asked by a journalist on the possibility of questioning Minister Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior regarding her statements in Washington which, in the journalist’s view, contradicted the general policy of the Government of National unity”.

“The answer of the Foreign Minister was as follows: Quote: “Up to now we have not received any official version of these reports so as to conclude whether they contradict the general policy of the Government or the SPLM. Even if the statements were to be true, the relevant authority is the one to decide to question her or not. Therefore, I will not want to comment on the issue”.

The Sudanese press reported that Akol had disapproved Rebecca’s statement and she had to explain her behaviour.

(ST)